Mumbai: Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians (MI) are heading into the IPL 2026 season with renewed momentum after a strong 2025 campaign. Under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, MI bounced back from a disappointing 2024 season to finish fourth on the points table and return to the playoffs — marking a positive turnaround for the franchise.
While Hardik’s leadership initially faced scrutiny from fans and critics alike, his composure under pressure and tactical decision-making helped Mumbai stabilize their campaign midway through the season.
However, as the November 15 retention deadline approaches, all eyes are on one major question — Will Mumbai Indians release former captain Rohit Sharma ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction?
Rohit Sharma’s Future Sparks Debate
Rohit Sharma, who stepped down from captaincy and played purely as a senior batter in IPL 2025, enjoyed a solid season with the bat. The veteran opener amassed 418 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of nearly 150, registering four half-centuries and proving that he still remains a key performer for the franchise.
Despite his contributions, rumours of his potential release have dominated headlines, sparking intense discussion among fans and cricket experts.
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has weighed in on the debate, urging MI to retain their long-time star.
“They should hold onto him — he has won a lot of trophies for them,” Raina said, emphasizing Rohit’s leadership legacy and experience.
Mumbai Indians Explore Trade Options
Beyond Rohit’s future, the Mumbai Indians camp has been at the centre of several trade discussions this off-season. According to reports, MI are exploring a possible trade deal with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Deepak Chahar, although no official confirmation has been made from either franchise.
There are also whispers of overseas player swaps as Mumbai looks to bolster both their middle order and bowling attack ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Core Players Likely to Stay
Despite trade chatter, MI are expected to retain their strong Indian core, which includes Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma — all of whom were instrumental in their 2025 playoff run.
Among overseas players, Trent Boult and Will Jacks are likely to be retained following their consistent performances with both ball and bat last season.
Mumbai Indians’ Probable Retained Players for IPL 2026:
Hardik Pandya (C), Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Rohit Sharma, Trent Boult, Vignesh Puthur, Karn Sharma, Mitchell Santner, Arjun Tendulkar, Will Jacks, Robin Minz, Naman Dhir, AM Ghazanfar, Ryan Rickelton, Ashwani Kumar.